Frankincense, also called Frankincense, is made from the gum-resin that flows when the trunk of Boswellia trees growing on the arid soils of Somalia is cut. This distilled resin makes it possible to obtain an essential oil widely used in perfumery to fix perfumes. Combined with other essential oils in diffusion, Frankincense essential oil helps to avoid the inconvenience linked to the smoke created by the burning of incense sticks and to create atmospheres conducive to meditation, relaxation, to work on yourself... Latin name: Boswellia carteri Birdw. Distilled part: resin
This article was updated on 29/03/2023Vigilance! Frankincense essential oil is mainly used by the respiratory tract, even if other methods of administration are authorized. This essential oil is reserved for the use of adults and adolescents and should not be used by pregnant women. People with asthma and epilepsy should be sure to seek medical advice before using this essential oil.
Be sure to seek medical advice before use for people with asthma and epilepsy (epileptogenic risk at high doses).
Frankincense essential oil is irritating to the skin, so it must be diluted to 20% in a vegetable oil before any skin application (20% essential oil with 80% vegetable oil).
This essential oil may present potential nephrotoxicity by ingestion, at high doses and over a long period.
For pregnant women and babies, the use of Frankincense essential oil is possible by atmospheric diffusion.
Frankincense essential oil contains allergenic biochemical components:
Note: It is preferable to test the essential oil before using it (dilute a drop of essential oil in a little vegetable oil and apply it to the crook of the elbow. Wait at least 24 hours to check that it is there is no reaction).
Frankincense essential oil is highly concentrated in alpha-pinene, limonene, sabinene and myrcene. These different molecules give it the following main properties:
antidepressant +++ :
frankincense essential oil helps fight the symptoms of depression.
anti-infectious ++ :
frankincense essential oil contains monoterpenes which prevent the development of fungi, and Gram+ and Gram- bacteria.
anti-inflammatory ++ (sesquiterpene carbides):
sesquiterpene carbides, present in small quantities in Frankincense essential oil, make it possible to treat inflammation, the result of the body's immune response to an attack suffered.
healing ++ (α-pinene):
alpha pinene increases the repair of skin tissues by limiting contamination of the area by bacteria and inhibits inflammation to promote the scarring process. It stimulates keratinocytes, cells of the epidermis producing keratin, a protein ensuring the waterproofing and protection of the skin.
relaxing ++ :
frankincense essential oil has a spasmolytic, anxiolytic action and facilitates sleep.
expectorant, anticatarrhal ++ (α-pinene):
alpha pinene stimulates the mucin glands, it helps to thin the mucus and promote its expulsion, thus freeing the respiratory tract.
immunostimulant ++ :
frankincense essential oil increases the body's natural defenses and thus makes it less vulnerable to infections.
Efficiency: ++++
Reserved for ages 6+. In broadcast, pour the number of drops of Frankincense essential oil indicated on the instructions for your diffuser. Broadcast in blocks of 30 minutes maximum.
Reserved for ages 6+. Pour the mixture of essential oils into your diffuser, respecting the number of drops indicated on the instructions and diffuse in 30-minute intervals:
More details : essential oils to promote meditation.
Efficiency: +++
Reserved for ages 6+. Through the skin, 1 drop of Frankincense essential oil in 4 drops of vegetable oil. Apply 2 drops of this mixture to the chest + 1 drop to the inside of each wrist 2 to 3 times a day.
Frankincense essential oil is antidepressant and rebalances the nervous system. Its relaxing effect is ideal in cases of depression, but if you have the means, neroli essential oil is even better: 1 drop in 4 drops of vegetable oil to apply on the inside of the wrists and on the thorax, morning and evening. Take a week's break after three weeks of use.
Reserved for ages 6+. Ingest 3 to 4 drops in a little honey or vegetable oil, 1 to 3 times a day, and place 3 to 4 drops on the inside of the wrists as needed:
Source: Baudoux, d. (2017). aromatherapy. dunod, 494.
Efficiency: +++
Reserved for ages 6+. Through the skin, 3 drops of Frankincense essential oil in 5 mL of vegetable oil. Apply as a massage to the solar plexus twice a day.
Source: Couic-Marinier, F., & Touboul, A. (2017). The Living Earth guide to essential oils, 85.
Frankincense essential oil is calming and relaxing, but roman Chamomile essential oil is best for quickly calming an anxiety attack: orally, 1 pure drop under the tongue when anxiety is felt.
Reserved for ages 6+. Pour the mixture of essential oils into your diffuser, respecting the number of drops indicated on the instructions and diffuse for 20 minutes, up to 3 times a day:
Source: Festy, D. (2018). My essential oils bible. Leduc.s, 198.
Efficiency: +++
Reserved for ages 6+. Orally, 2 drops of Frankincense essential oil on a neutral tablet twice a day.
Source: Zahalka, JP. (2017). Complete Aromatherapy Dictionary. Dolphin, 141.
Immunostimulating, Frankincense essential oil does not dethrone ravintsara essential oil to stimulate immunity: 3 drops on the wrists to breathe deeply, for prevention, once a day, during risky periods.
Efficiency: +++
Reserved for ages 6+. Through the skin, 1 drop of Frankincense essential oil in 4 drops of vegetable oil with a light massage on the scar, 3 times a day.
Reserved for ages 6+. Apply 2 to 3 drops of the following mixture to the scar 2-3 times a day for a week:
Source: Millet, F. (2013). The great guide to essential oils. Marabout, 114.
Frankincense essential oil is healing... but italian Helichrysum essential oil is even better: through the skin, place 2 pure drops on the affected area, twice a day, until healing.
Efficiency: +++
Reserved for ages 6+. Through the skin, 2 drops of Frankincense essential oil in 2 mL of Macadamia vegetable oil massage on and around the injured area, 3 to 5 times a day.
Frankincense essential oil is skin regenerating, but that of Myrrh is just as useful in cases of bedsores or skin ulcers: 2 drops in 8 drops of vegetable oil massaged onto the affected area, twice a day for 7 days.
Frankincense essential oil is used on many occasions, particularly linked to its antidepressant, relaxing and healing properties. For the majority ofthe following uses it will be effective, but without necessarily being the best essential oil. We therefore indicate to you the best replacement for Incense for the following different problems.
Frankincense essential oil is effective, but... it is better to use eucalyptus Globulus essential oil : 1 drop in 4 drops of vegetable oil to apply to the thorax 4 times a day for 5 to 7 days.
Frankincense essential oil is effective, but... it is better to use cypress de Provence essential oil : 1 drop in a teaspoon of honey to melt in the mouth, 4 times a day until the cough disappears.
There are many frankincense essential oils, from different species of the Boswellia genus. Their composition varies widely depending on their origin, the time of harvest, the storage conditions, the method of extraction, etc. This mainly leads to organoleptic differences. Some are considered true incense, or Frankincense:
Finally, there is an essential oil of Indian incense, and therefore originating from India, it is Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Colebr., rich in alpha-thujene this time. It is considered less valuable, due to its less qualitative smell. It is therefore more affordable.
Average grade: 4.7 ( 690 votes)
Publication: Al-Yasiry, ARM, & Kiczorowska, B. (2016). Frankincense-therapeutic properties. Advances in Hygiene & Experimental Medicine/Postepy Higieny i Medycyny Doswiadczalnej, 70.
Publication: Su, S., Hua, Y., Wang, Y., Gu, W., Zhou, W., Duan, J., . . . Tang, Y. (2012). Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of individual and combined extracts from Commiphora myrrha, and Boswellia carterii. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 139(2), 649–656. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2011.12.013
Publication: Banno, N., Akihisa, T., Yasukawa, K., Tokuda, H., Tabata, K., Nakamura, Y., . . . Suzuki, T. (2006). Anti-inflammatory activities of the triterpene acids from the resin of Boswellia carteri. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 107(2), 249–253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2006.03.006
Publication: Chevrier, MR, Ryan, AE, Lee, DY, Zhongze, M., Wu-Yan, Z., & Via, CS (2005). Boswellia carterii Extract Inhibits TH1 Cytokines and Promotes TH2 Cytokines In Vitro. Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, 12(5), 575–580. https://doi.org/10.1128/cdli.12.5.575-580.2005
Work : de la Charie, T. (2019). Treat yourself with essential oils. Why and how does it work? Editions du Rocher.
Work : Baudoux, d. (2017). aromatherapy. dunod.
Work : Festy, D. (2018). My bible of essential oils: Complete guide to aromatherapy. Leduc.s éditions.
Work : Millet, F. (2015). The great guide to essential oils. Marabout.
Work : Zahalka, J. (2017). Complete Aromatherapy Dictionary. Editions du Dauphin.
Work : Franchomme, P. (2015). The science of medicinal essential oils. Guy Trédaniel editor.
This aromatherapy article was written by Théophane de la Charie, author of the book “Treat yourself with essential oils”, accompanied by a multidisciplinary team made up of pharmacists, biochemists and agronomists.
La Compagnie des Sens and its teams do not encourage self-medication. The information and advice provided comes from a reference bibliographic database (books, scientific publications, etc.). They are given for information purposes, or to suggest avenues for reflection: they should in no case replace a diagnosis, consultation or medical follow-up, and cannot engage the liability of the Compagnie des Sens.